SOFFIO inflatable face shield – Courtesy of MARGstudio.
Coronavirus – Italian designers MARGstudio, Alessio Casciano Design and Angeletti Ruzza have designed Soffio, a colorful inflatable and reusable face shield that allows people to socialise in a safe and convivial way.
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Soffio, which translates into blow, in Italian is made of a colorful and inflatable PVC frame, a plastic visor and a plastic head band. The a cantilevered and lightweight 180-degree protective barrier can be easily assembled and worn allowing to eat and drink safely while maintaining visual and hearing contact with nearby people.
The design could cost less than 1 euro and is very fast to produce, flat-pack and deliver. “It can be distributed to bar or restaurant owners who can even brand it and offer it to their clients. After dinner, costumers can bring it home, easily wash, sanitise and reuse it multiple times.” Says Annalisa Grasselli of MARGstudio to Archipanic.
“The idea was born after many of our studio’s clients – mostly bar and restaurant owners – asked us to think of safe, practical and appealing interior designs to keep their business running in a protected way.” Continues Grasselli. “I saw proposals for expensive, unpractical and conviviality killing plexiglass mazes… And we decided to go in the opposite direction with a tongue in cheek attitude: Soffio recalls inflatable floats we hope we will be able to play with this summer.”
The inflatable structure protects also against collisions with other objects – or heads – in a fun way. Soffio is entirely made of PVC with the technique of electronic welding. It could also be built with recycled and/or recyclable plastic. An elastic band adheres to the head without creating sweat. A blowing valve located inside the mask is protected from contagion.
All images: courtesy of MARGstudio.
RELATED STORIES: discover more inflatable architecture and design on Archipanic!
